Celebrating the Christmas Season by Participating In the 2017 Week of Prayer for International Missions

     There are those who are called to "Go" and there are those who are called to "Stay"... Have you ever thought about that?   Have you ever looked at yourself and asked "Which one am I?" 
     Granted, it can potentially be a tricky question with a confusing answer, but just as those who are called to "Go" could never hide at home for fear of being out of God's will...so then, those who are called to "Stay" must not look upon that as a free-pass on Evangelism...no sir.  It could be a momentary "Stay" or it could be a life-long "Stay".  Either way, if it is from the Lord, there is a glorious purpose to it.  There is still much, much work to be done to share the Gospel, and it is our delight and our joy to take part in it in this way.   
      Those of us who are called to "Stay" have the unique ability to uphold our brothers and sisters as they take the Message of the Gospel around the world.   We can help to care for their needs at home when they are away.  They can have peace of mind knowing that there is someone they trust that is looking out for their interests when they are not physically present.  They can be assured that other family and friends who may have certain needs will not be left to fend for themselves.  They can confidently reach out to those around them in a foreign land knowing that a helping hand is extended to their loved ones at home as well.   But most importantly, they can walk forward with the confidence of knowing that they are PRAYED FOR.  
     To "Go" is to have the outlook of Christ, to put feet on the ground, to reach a lost and hurting world with the Gospel message that saves lives and transforms darkness into light.
     To "Stay" is to have the compassion of Christ planted deep within your heart in effort to support those who have been called, being trustworthy, dependable and steady so that they are able to do what He asks of them.
     Both are vital.  Both are ordained by the Lord.   There is joy in our hearts when we are fulfilling what He calls us to do.

   Prayerfully seek God, and ask yourself if you do not know the answer.... am I called to "Go"?  Or am I called to "Stay"?  If I'm asked to stay, what is the Lord requiring of me?
   
    When an opportunity arises, like the Week of Prayer, we have a part of our answer.    It costs nothing to pray for someone, and yet it is a great sacrifice to do so.   We are bringing our requests before an Almighty God, and laying them at His feet...on behalf of another person, no less.   How great a task this is!  

   Won't you please consider joining with us at Wolf Creek Baptist Church, this week as we participate in the 2017 Week of Prayer for International Missions?    Allow the Lord to use a part of your quiet time each day to impress upon your heart the need to pray for your brothers and sisters who are physically going and sharing His Message around the world.   

    Just because you may not "Go" right now does not mean that you have no calling.   What is the Lord asking of you while you "Stay"?  He may be preparing you for your own time to "Go", so in the mean time let us be busy about the work of the Lord and not wasting this time with things of no value. 

Click on the link below to follow along with the Week of Prayer.

2017 Week of Prayer Guide

 

The Slowness of God (Devotional)

The Slowness of God:

"In the spiritual life God chooses to try our patience first of all by His slowness. He is slow: we are swift and precipitate. It is because we are but for a time, and He has been for eternity. Thus grace, for the most part, acts slowly. He works little by little. Sweetly and strongly He compasses His ends, but with a slowness which tires our faith because it is so great a mystery. We must fasten upon this attribute of God in our growth in holiness. There is something greatly overawing in the extreme slowness of God. Let it overshadow our souls, but let it not disquiet them. We must wait for God, long, meekly, in the wind and wet, in the thunder and the lightning, in the cold and the dark. Wait, and He will come. He never comes to those who do not wait. He does not go their road. When He comes, go with Him, but go slowly, fall a little behind; when he quickens His pace, be sure of it, before you quicken yours. But when He slackens, slacken at once: and do not be slow only, but silent, very silent, for He is God.”

                                                                                             Written by: Fredrick Faber

Identity

        Identity.

       Yikes, what a word!  And it's something that we hear talked about everyday in one way or another.   We raise our children to become the person that God wants them to be.  Our friends talk with us as they work out the issues in their lives that are unique to them.  Our celebrities strive to be known for who they are, and not the character or position that they play.  Our media paints a constant picture of who they think we ought to be...but what does Jesus say?  

        Have you ever had one of "those days"?   The kind of day where it's difficult to remember WHO you are...WHY you are here...WHAT you stand for?  

        It's good to have a reference for days like that.   Something you can glance at, or study, to remind yourself how God views you if you are a born-again Child of His.  

       Jesus, and His Father - God, take their identity very seriously.   They set a holy example for us to follow...we should take our identity seriously as well.

Resource taken from Pinterest

On a High Note....October 2017

From Brad:
    Homecoming is one of my favorite times of the year.   Fall is in the air, Christmas is just around the corner, and many memories abound of years gone by.   Friends and loved ones that have passed on, childhood memories of 'dinner on the ground', those long afternoon singings.  My Sunday summers were filled almost weekly by being at a church somewhere singing.
    Homecoming also reminds us that sometimes we need to come home.  Even if we are just down the street.   Your church body should hold a very special place in your heart, and I think you should long to see her and be with her church "relatives" whenever possible.   If there is no desire to be 'home' for you, why is that?   As the years pass, the memories you make now, and the habits that your children see in you....will formulate what they write in columns such as this one day.


A Note About Choir:
     We need more folks to commit to the choir at our church.   Over the years choir members have passed away or moved away, but most have not been replaced.   A vibrant choir is a tool for the growing and worshipping church.  Many that used to sing in the choir no longer do so, and we have a lot of singers that sit in the congregation but never come to choir.   I would humbly ask that you pray and consider being a part of this ministry.  A lot of churches are completely eliminating choirs because they cannot get enough church members to commit - I sure do not want Wolf Creek to be faced with that dilemma.  Would you pray about it?

Prayer in the Face of Evil

By: Joni Eareckson Tada
Oct. 2, 2017


Our country has suffered, yet again, an act of pure evil and civil unrest – and as Christians, we are dropping to our knees, asking for God's mercy, healing, and grace.
This morning I woke up to the news that at least 58 people were killed, and over 550 were wounded in a horrific shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman turned a concert into a killing field Sunday night from his perch on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort, using at least 10 guns to rain down a steady stream of fire in the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history. I was still in bed when I heard this – my two girlfriends who got me up this morning shared it at my bedside when they came to help me get ready for the day. I was stunned. Shocked. And the first thing we did was to stop and pray.
But how do you pray at such a time? First, you grieve – just as God grieves, just like His heart breaks. You mourn and lament over the devastation that sin has brought into this world. You feel sorrow and sadness and cry out to God for mercy, for His healing and help. And so, as I was still lying in bed, my friends and I did just that. And I am still praying, as I know you must be. In fact, join me now and together let’s go before God humbly, mournfully, and ask for His healing, not only on our deeply troubled nation, but for the families and loved ones. Let’s pray…

God of all mercy, we are heartsick over the ruin and desolation that sin has brought upon our world, upon our nation. Have mercy on us. And please, have mercy on the families of those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy. Comfort them in their grief, and show yourself to be the God of consolation that you are. You are the healer of broken hearts, and families and loved ones are utterly crushed by this senseless tragedy – draw them to your side, and show yourself to be the answer to their anguish. And please touch the lives of the many hundreds who lie wounded, and yes, even those who survived. Quiet their anxieties and fears, and heal their wounds. Cause them, as they lie on their beds, to seek you and turn to you with their concerns. And please, Lord, restore them and heal them.
Finally, Lord, we do not attempt to search for meaning in this massacre. You are sovereign, and you are the only one who can bring good out of this wretched evil. So, bind families together; unite Christians in prayer; help churches be salt and light in their neighborhoods; aid us in overcoming evil with good. Help us be vigilant in promoting peace, demonstrating love, and helping to change the divided climate in our homeland. We praise you for your sovereignty, even over this awful tragedy. For you have judged it better to bring good out of evil than to arrange it that no evil should exist. Men cannot be made good by laws; good can only spring from a change in peoples’ hearts. So please turn hearts toward Jesus Christ, the only one who can save us from ourselves; the only one who can rescue us from ruin. May this historic tragedy turn the history of this country so that one day we may, indeed, be crowned in brotherhood from sea to shining sea. In the powerful name of our Savior, Amen.

© Joni and Friends 2017
www.joniandfriends.org
Used by permission of Joni and Friends

From the Pastor's Desk (September)

Pray for those effected by the devastating rains and winds.  Pray that God will comfort and guide them as they walk through this very difficult time.  Pray that God will use this event to lead many people to faith in Christ.  Pray that God will encourage believers and churches as they seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus to their neighbors.  Pray for the local, state and national leaders overseeing these operations.  Pray for the safety of the many volunteers who will respond and that God will provide opportunities of ministry for them as they serve.

The following is a list of goods that will be accepted at the MMC for transport to the flooded areas.  Please NOTE:  We are not accepting any food or used clothing!  Any questions should be directed to the MMC at eholmes@tnbaptist.org or (615) 371-7926.  You must call to be sure someone will be present to receive the goods!

Wes Jones

Disaster Relief Specialist (TN Baptist Mission Board)

Harvest Field 4 Team Leader, Campers on Mission, Baptist Builders, Men's Ministry

www.tnbaptist.org  or www.tndisasterrelief.org

email:wjones@tnbaptist.org

EMERGENCY DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE GOODS

Hardware

Box Knives

Hammers

Flat Pry Bars

Flat Shovels

Tyvek Suits

Wheel Barrows

Rubber Gloves

Floor Squeegees

XLarge Garbage Bags

Hoses

Safety Glasses

Leather Gloves

Small Scrub Brushes

Box Fans

Scoop Shovels

Push Brooms

Paper/Other Products 

Toilet Paper

Paper Towels

Plates

Plastic Ware

Cups

Napkins

Bowls

Shampoo, Deoderant, Soap

Feminine Hygiene Products

Baby Wipes, Diapers

Gatorade/Powerade

Gift Cards

Clothing (NO USED CLOTHING)

New Underwear (All sizes in original packages)

New Socks (All sizes in original packages)